Robert Durst Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole for Murder of Susan Berman

The bitterly fought murder trial of Robert Durst has come to an end with a mandatory life sentence in prison without parole for the first-degree murder of his best friend, Susan Berman. The lengthy trial, which began in March 2020 and was adjourned for 14 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded with a verdict in September 2021. Berman's family had hoped to present statements to the court about their loss, but prosecutors denied the request, leading to disappointment and outrage from the McCormack family.

Key Takeaways:

• Robert Durst, 78, was convicted of shooting Berman point-blank in the back of the head in her Los Angeles home in 2000.
• Durst's sentencing will be a brief affair, with prosecutors possibly being more restrained in their presentation to limit appellate issues.
• Durst was acquitted of murder in a 2001 trial in Galveston, Texas, where he claimed he killed his neighbor, Morris Black, in a struggle for a gun.
• Prosecutors are prepared to seek charges against Durst in the disappearance of his wife, Kathie Durst, which has never been solved and is considered a separate case.
• Defense lawyers plan to argue for a new trial, citing insufficient evidence and 15 alleged errors by the judge, but this is likely to fail.
• Durst's lawyers have objected to the admission of evidence, including testimony about his arrest in 2015 and the inclusion of a feature film and documentary about his life.
• Durst testified in the LA case, denying he killed Berman or his wife, but said he would lie if he had done so.

Statistics:

• 14 months: duration of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced adjournment of the trial
• 6 years: length of the trial from arrest to conviction
• 15: number of alleged errors by the judge cited by the defense
• 2000: year Berman was murdered
• 2001: year Durst was acquitted of murder in Galveston, Texas
• 2015: year Durst was arrested in New Orleans
• 2020: year the trial began
• 2021: year the verdict was reached

Sources:

• Associated Press news wire
• Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson
• Deputy District Attorney John Lewin
• Attorney Robert Abrams (representing the McCormack family)
• ASSOCIATED PRESS (caption source)